as in capabilities
the physical or mental power to do something
as a result of the accident the once-vigorous athlete lost the ability to walk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abilities
OpenMind, a robotics software company, has launched a new robot app store designed to let humanoid and quadruped robots gain new skills and abilities.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Jan. 2026
Neem oil affects insects' feeding abilities and acts as a repellent.
—Jon Vanzile, The Spruce, 30 Jan. 2026
The 18-track record allows Toliver to flex his sonic abilities by once again creating a fresh blend of trap and R&B that relies on a new layer of electronica.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
The latter are something that Mafty wants to recruit, so the initial operation is part of that gambit, but by the end of the film, all bets are off, and the precarious abilities of Newtypes come to the fore.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Retro Studios had the opportunity to explore new powers or to take a different approach, capitalizing on Lamorn’s psychic abilities that Samus inherits.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2026
First — and this is just my read — Tatum must not be entirely confident in his abilities at this point.
—Jay King, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Designed with people of all abilities in mind, INCLŪSIV prioritizes adaptive equipment that supports both physical and mental wellness — especially for individuals with disabilities and mobility challenges.
—Alexa Stone
january 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
Accessibility The hotel is ADA-compliant and welcomes guests of all abilities.
—Paul Oswell, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Jan. 2026
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Jan. 2026
Neem oil affects insects' feeding abilities and acts as a repellent.
—Jon Vanzile, The Spruce, 30 Jan. 2026
The 18-track record allows Toliver to flex his sonic abilities by once again creating a fresh blend of trap and R&B that relies on a new layer of electronica.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
The latter are something that Mafty wants to recruit, so the initial operation is part of that gambit, but by the end of the film, all bets are off, and the precarious abilities of Newtypes come to the fore.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Retro Studios had the opportunity to explore new powers or to take a different approach, capitalizing on Lamorn’s psychic abilities that Samus inherits.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2026
First — and this is just my read — Tatum must not be entirely confident in his abilities at this point.
—Jay King, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Designed with people of all abilities in mind, INCLŪSIV prioritizes adaptive equipment that supports both physical and mental wellness — especially for individuals with disabilities and mobility challenges.
—Alexa Stone
january 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
Accessibility The hotel is ADA-compliant and welcomes guests of all abilities.
—Paul Oswell, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abilities
Noun
-
With minimal task-specific data, new capabilities can reportedly be learned and deployed within hours.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Hamas is seemingly rebuilding its military capabilities, including its tunnel infrastructure damaged by Israeli airstrikes, and bringing in new cash that pays its fighters and hires new recruits.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
He’s toured through Connecticut many times before in a number of different capacities.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Those who exit the military often continue their public service in different capacities.—
Michael Szalma,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The college serves an additional 3,253 professional skills training students through workforce development, job training, adult education and other programs.—
Edward McKinnon,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
-
South Africa faced a skills shortage and business bankruptcies soared.—
Eve Fairbanks,
The Dial,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That allows kids that do have more talents than the average student to move ahead faster, prepare for college and stuff, especially at the high school level.—
Alec Johnson,
jsonline.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Bryant’s athletic talents and drive are just some of the standout qualities that continue to inspire young generations of athletes.—
Monica Haider,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Frescoes by Pellegrino Tibaldi depict the liberal arts and the four faculties of medieval knowledge, situating the library within the intellectual framework of its era.—
Navya Verma,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Jan. 2026
-
Instead, the attorney claimed, Williams' faculties were impacted by alcohol addiction.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
10 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
This model reflects Japan’s long-standing corporate culture, which prioritizes new hires for their general potential—their aptitudes and aspirations, as opposed to their current skill sets or university majors—and then trains them on the job.—
GRACIA LIU-FARRER,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Nov. 2025
-
More money is apt to make homeschooling worse and far less tailored to the individual student and their interests and aptitudes by encouraging parents to substitute pricey group programs for the requisite effort of individualized instruction.—
Marie Sapirie,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Earlier in the week, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella discussed an emerging type of knowledge work, with new competencies based on how AI was reshaping hierarchies and the way information flows through society.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Employees with these technical and strategic competencies are better positioned to navigate turnover and thrive in organizations that reward impact and execution speed over tenure or traditional hierarchy.—
Kara Dennison,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abilities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abilities. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
